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About Janell McMorran
Expertise
I am quite knowledgeable on housing, care, genetics, hereditary defects, color identification, breeding practices, socialization, rat rescue situations, raising orphaned babies, trapping feral rats, and basic illnesses and disorders a pet rat is prone to. I can answer any question related to every day circumstances and even those a bit more unusual.

Experience
I'm a hobby breeder and have bred for the public since early 2005. Prior I worked as a PIJAC certified associate for a major pet store chain for 4 years. I currently work as a pet store consultant as well.

Organizations
RatSeek

Education/Credentials
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council certification in all areas, AP Husbandry

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Pet Rats > Mammary tumor

Pet Rats - Mammary tumor

Expert: Janell McMorran - 11/3/2009

Question
hi, i have a female rat who is about 3 years old. recently she got a mushy lump on her lower abdomen but it didnt seem to hurt her or slow her down so i let it be. but now it has exploded in size and has started to get kind of hard, and now it seems to be turning kind of blueish, like a bruise. she is still happy and very lively but her weight is changing all of the time and i am sure it is the lumps fault. i love her to death but i do not want her to suffer at all. i know she is old for a rat, that is why i was just thinking about letting the lump run its course, but at the same time she i love her and i don't want her to suffer. it brings tears to my eyes every time i think about it, but i am considering having her put to sleep. i dont want to, but i dont want her to be in pain either. my vet is good with rats but i think they would opt for euthenasia because she is older and the anesthesia might kill her if i tried to get surgery done. i am not sure what to do. what would be the best thing for her?

Answer
Honestly, that's one of the hardest decisions to make and only you can make it.

If you feel she's happy and not suffering, let her live it up until you feel her quality of life is suffering, and then make that decision to help her cross the rainbow bridge. If you feel she's suffering, you have to decide if you can send her over the bridge or not. I really wish I could help you with that, but it all depends on her relationship with you and how well she's doing day-to-day.

Good luck. And I'm very sorry you're having to consider this..

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